Ammo For Model 19/66 2.5 inch

[redlevel]

What self defense ammo do you carry? I have looked at the BB website, and the low flash, lower recoil .357 ammo (158 grain jacketed) is only marginally better than their "Heavy .38 special +p, which is pretty hot itself. Do most of you carry full-house .357 magnum in these revolvers? I am partial to 158 grain bullets, mainly because I'm old, I guess. I am not a recoil junkie, and I know that the various full-house .357 loads have a heck of a muzzle blast and blow a lot of fire. Right now, I guess I'm leaning toward using the BB 158 grain gas checked load at close to 1060fps and 393 ft. lb. energy. That is BB's published figure. They list their 158 grain "Tactical Short Barrel" .357 jhp at 1100fps and 422 ft. lbs from a 2.5 inch Model 66. Ironically, if I choose the .38 loads, my 3" Model 36-1 will perform better than the 2.5" Model 19. It looks like, according to BB's figures, as well as those posted by members here, the big jump in velocity is from a two inch barrel to a three inch--not that much difference in the 2" vs. 2.5".

Any suggestions?

By the way, I really like the BB .38 Special 158 grain loads in my j-frame snubbies. I took out a feral cat with my Model 60 yesterday. The recoil is just not that bad. I still want to try this load in my daughter's 442.

 

[stu1ritter]

I was wondering much the same for practice with my Airweight. I don't like to shoot it very much but would love to cut down a wee bit on the recoil when I do. It's a real "wrist twister" with some loads.
Stu

 

[38-44HD45]

My 2 1/2" 66 is presently loaded with Speer full-power 158 gr. Gold Dots. My 19s, 65s and 66 all are fed one of three loads for social purposes: The above Speer load, Speer 135gr. Short Barrel Magnum Gold Dots, or Remington Golden Saber 125 gr. loads. None but the 158gr. Gold Dot are full-house loads. While I wouldn't worry about using 125gr. screamers in a K-frame magnum, in limited quantities, as noted above, they are pretty jumpy to shoot with them, and they will wear the gun faster.

 

[old bear]

Every firearm I own, with one exception, is chambered in .357 Magnum and of the two that are always loaded both are loaded with Speer .357 Magnum 158 Gr. gold dots. I don't shoot a lot of this load in my K frames, but it is my go to ammo.

"While I wouldn't worry about using 125gr. screamers in a K-frame magnum, in limited quantities, as noted above, they are pretty jumpy to shoot with them, and they will wear the gun faster."

But I love those in my N frame, the noise, recoil, and muzzle blast are great.

 

[Person]

I am waiting on my holster for my 2.5" Model 66. When it arrives I will carry Speer 135 grain Gold Dot short barrel .38 special.

Later,

Person

 

[38-44HD45]

Might as well get the Short Barrel .357, Person. You'll gain about 100-150 fps. over the .38 SB, and still have a very controllable load. If it says ".357" on it, I load it with .357s of some flavor and save the .38s for my .38s, and occasionally, for practice. Only thing one gains by using .38s is easier ejection with the stubby ejector rods on the little guns.

 

[Person]

Might as well get the Short Barrel .357, Person. You'll gain about 100-150 fps. over the .38 SB, and still have a very controllable load. If it says ".357" on it, I load it with .357s of some flavor and save the .38s for my .38s, and occasionally, for practice. Only thing one gains by using .38s is easier ejection with the stubby ejector rods on the little guns.

38-44HD45,

I had not used the .357 short barrel yet but I do like the .38 short barrel a lot. I will give them a try.

Thanks,

Person

 

[38-44HD45]

You'll be glad you did, I think. I also keep the .357 SB loads in my little 340PD.

 

[ACP230]

I shot some Black Hills 125 grain .357s in my 2.5 inch M19.
Recoil wasn't too bad and accuracy at seven yards was excellent.

Cor-Bon 140 grain loads suited my 2.5 inch M66 pretty well.

 

[38-44HD45]

I've got some of those Black Hills 125s, too. I've forgotten just what they chronoed, but I recall them being about midway between the Golden Sabre level and full-house screamers. Good load.

 

[RedBerens]

I really like the Speer 135gr Short Barrel Magnums, and the +P .38 Special version. Both are very accurate and easily controllable. I chose them for these two reasons. Power is nice, but I like having accurate follow up shots.